Vintage: Amsterdam Streets by George Hendrik Breitner (1890s-1900s)

George Hendrik Breitner (1857 – 1923) was a Dutch painter and photographer. An important figure in Amsterdam Impressionism, he is noted especially for his paintings of street scenes and harbours in a realistic style. He painted en plein air, and became interested in photography as a means of documenting street life and atmospheric effects – rainy weather in particular – as reference materials for his paintings.

The Kolkje and Oudezijds Achterburgwal. Photo: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum/Europeana

Workers on the Van Diemenstraat. Photo: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum/Europeana

A cyclist on the Prinsengracht. Photo: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum/Europeana

A cart dog takes a rest. Photo: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum/Europeana